Can You Eat Leftover Sushi: Is It Not Good the Next Day?

Can You Eat Leftover Sushi: Is It Not Good the Next Day?

Can you really eat leftover sushi or the sushi is not good the next day?

Sushi is a slightly dangerous food when it comes to bacteria. Therefore, we must be careful with its expiration date.

In order to clarify all your doubts, I decided to write this article. I’ll show you if it’s safe to eat sushi with 1 day, 2 days or even 3 days. So don’t waste any more time and read on below!

Can You Eat Leftover Sushi?

Can You Eat Leftover Sushi

Typically, yes. Eating leftover sushi is safe, but there are a few things to always keep in mind. There are several different types of sushi, and all have different ingredients to them including the different vegetables to be used and different meats including raw or cooked meat.

The length of time that leftover sushi can be eaten is also dependent on the ingredients used.

For instance, a sushi roll that contains uncooked fish should be refrigerated immediately and not eaten long after making. However, if you have a sushi roll with synthetic cooked crab, it could be refrigerated longer without going bad. 

Always remember that every type of sushi should be immediately refrigerated if your intention is to eat it leftover.

Unrefrigerated sushi is a breeding ground for bacteria and could get you extremely sick with food poisoning or other bacteria.

Furthermore, if your sushi roll has vegetables in it (particularly avocado), it will not last as long in the fridge because avocado is known to turn brown and soggy pretty quickly after is it ripe. 

Is Sushi Good the Next Day?

Is Sushi Good the Next Day

Yes, if stored in the refrigerator, sushi is safe to eat the next day. The most important thing to think of when wanting to eat sushi leftover Is how long the sushi sat out at room temperature, and how the sushi will be stored in the refrigerator.

Sushi should only be left out at room temperature for no more than two hours. Therefore, if you went out to eat at a restaurant and ordered your sushi at 7:00 pm but find yourself only leaving the restaurant getting home at 9:30 pm, then the sushi should be thrown out and not saved.

If you do make it in time for the sushi to be refrigerated, then it can be saved

On the other hand, if you happen to be eating outside in above 90-degree weather, then the sushi should not be left out for more than an hour before being refrigerated.

Keep in mind that when storing your sushi in the fridge, you shouldn’t just keep it in the same container given by the restaurant. The restaurant containers are not typically airtight and leave room for the sushi to go bad faster. Always place the sushi in an air-tight container when placed in the fridge.

If you are ordering sushi from a restaurant, you may also see sashimi on the menu next to the sushi.

Sashimi should be eaten within one to two days of ordering. The difference between sashimi and sushi is that sashimi is a thinly sliced raw meat (usually a type of fish) eaten alone or with rice. The sashimi is typically raw salmon or tuna but can be mackerel, shrimp, scallops, clams, or octopus. 

Can You Eat Sushi Within 2 Days?

Sushi with 2 days

Sushi can be eaten within two days if the sushi was kept at an acceptable temperature and sealed in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, four days is the longest sushi should be kept after making it. Furthermore, sushi that contains raw fish, or shellfish should be consumed within one to two days at the most.

If you are not certain if the sushi roll you ate contains raw meat of any kind, you should always ask the restaurant or take a peek at the menu.

Some common types of seafood that can be raw in sushi include squid, eel, salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and crab.

Most menus will have the name of the roll even though the full ingredients may not be listed. A few common rolls that do have raw meat are Tekka Maki.

Salmon rolls, spicy tuna rolls, rainbow rolls, spicy salmon tempura rolls, nitro rolls, red dragon rolls, scorpion rolls, and Scotty rolls. Remember, if you happen to order the above rolls, you must eat them within two days of being made

Can You Eat Sushi Within 3 Days?

Sushi with 3 days

Yes, certain types of sushi can be eaten within 3 days of being made. However, as mentioned above, if the sushi roll has raw meat, then the limit of consumption is two days.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture advises that if the meat in sushi is cooked, then it can be eaten three to four days after being made. This also assumes that the sushi is being kept in an airtight container and was kept at the correct temperature prior to being refrigerated.

Although you can eat cooked sushi within the three to four-day time frame, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check the sushi before consuming it. Many rolls have different elements to them including vegetables and sauces. As mentioned, avocado is common in sushi and can rot faster than other vegetables. 

Common sushi rolls that are inclusive of cooked meat only are the:

  • Avocado maki roll;
  • Kappa Maki cucumber roll;
  • Vegetarian roll;
  • California roll;
  • Spicy California roll;
  • Shrimp tempura roll;
  • Philadelphia roll;
  • Crunchy California roll;
  • Volcano sushi roll;
  • And nori sushi roll.

If you order any of these rolls, they can be kept in the fridge for up to four days as long as the other elements are fresh.

How Long is Sushi Good For?

Sushi shelf date

The maximum amount of time that sushi should be kept for is four days, but only two days if there is raw meat included in the sushi roll.

Using an airtight container is the most important part of ensuring the quality of your leftover sushi. If you do not have an airtight container available, other options would be to wrap the sushi in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or another moisture-proof paper.

These options are of course not the best compared to a container but will work. 

Sushi can last longer if you plan on freezing the roll. If you plan on freezing the sushi, using an electric wrapper with a clear wrap is the best option. The machine will remove all of the air from the sushi and will give you a quality seal.

Of course, you should not expect the sushi to taste exactly the same as when it was freshly made, but it is a great option for leftovers; particularly since some of the ingredients can be costly.

When removing the sushi from the freezer, always double-check to ensure that it is not freezer burnt and can be safely eaten.

How Long Does Sushi Last in the Fridge?

Sushi in the fridge

Sushi can last up to four days in the refrigerator is kept in a sealed container and if it was placed in the refrigerator within the timeframe suggested by the U.S.

Department of Agriculture above. Keep in mind that when storing leftovers in the fridge, you should always make sure the refrigerator itself is at the correct temperature to store food safely as well. 

According to consumer reports, a refrigerator should be kept at 37 degrees to keep food fresh as long as possible.

This temperature maintains the food without ice crystals and prevents bacteria from breeding, which is crucial when it comes to raw meat and sushi. If you plan on freezing the sushi if it is not eaten right away, make sure it is set to 0 degrees.

These two temperatures will keep your sushi fresher, longer so you can get your money’s worth and not waste food. 

How Long is Sushi Good in the Refrigerator?

How Long is Sushi Good in the Refrigerator

Sushi can remain fresh in the refrigerator for up to four days, but only two if there is raw meat involved.

However, this is simply a guideline of a timeframe. While the meat may still be fresh within two to four days, it does not necessarily mean the sushi will still be enjoyable to eat. You will have to inspect your sushi prior to consuming it because of the other ingredients.

For example, you will want to watch out for a foul odor before eating the sushi. While the meat may be fresh you do not know when the vegetables were cut and some may be close to spoiling, so it is always better to double-check.

You may also notice that your sushi is dull-looking or may have a different texture (particularly with avocado rolls).

If the rice was overcooked, you may notice a bit of slime coming out of your sushi roll as well, or the rice could be dried out and crispy. In any of these cases, it is best to toss out the sushi and order more.

Can I Eat Sushi Left in the Fridge Overnight?

Can I Eat Sushi Left in the Fridge Overnight

Yes, you can eat sushi that was left in the refrigerator overnight, even if it was raw sushi.

Just make sure that the sushi was placed in the refrigerator within two hours of being made, but one hour if you were out in warmer temperatures.

If you did not put the sushi in the fridge within this timeframe and eat it, you could be susceptible to bacteria growth/food poisoning symptoms. 

Some signs to watch out for that is common with foodborne illnesses include:

  • Nausea;
  • Cramping;
  • Diarrhea;
  • And vomiting.

If you experience any of these symptoms after consuming the leftover sushi, it is imperative that you throw away the remaining leftovers. Be particularly cautious of these symptoms while consuming raw sushi as well, even if it is within the timeframe guidelines. 

Sushi is also known to contain parasites and bacteria, especially when the sushi is raw, which makes it crucial to follow these guidelines when wanting to keep your sushi for leftovers.

Always remember the two-day and four-day rules as mentioned and your sushi should be safe for consumption. 

Final Words

Sushi is a wonderful entrée and very filling. You are bound to get a bang for your buck, and you can even make certain sushi rolls at home for an interesting cooking adventure, or to save money.

There are several different sushi rolls to suit everyone’s tastes including cooked or raw sushi. If you order a bit too much you can definitely eat sushi leftover but just need to be precautious.

Never eat your sushi after the fourth day if it is cooked, and never after the second day if you have raw meat in your sushi.

These are just guidelines though, so make sure you check if the sushi smells right, looks right, and had the right texture (particularly the rice and vegetables) before eating. If you end up freezing your sushi so it can last longer, make sure to also check before consumption as well.

So, do you already know if you can eat leftover sushi in the next day? Please, feel free to leave your opinion in the comments below!

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Candy Seideman has been cooking for most of her life. In fact she is referred to as "The Chef" by most of her close family not only because she attended culinary school and was an actual chef, but also because she has a passion for cooking for friends and family.